6o ANGLING & ART IN SCOTLAND 



We commenced fishing at Allongibbon Bridge, 

 half a mile above Dairy. Although the first two 

 miles were not over profitable, still we got an odd 

 fish here and there. But from Earlston upwards, 

 after midday, the fish rose with delightful freedom, 

 and our baskets rapidly increased in weight. 

 Waders in those days were dispensed with. They 

 were merely an unnecessary encumbrance, designed 

 for the aged. It was simpler to doff your stockings 

 and wade in boots with rolled-up knickerbockers — in 

 the confidence of youth rheumatism was unthought 

 of. Hence in the halcyon weather the upper half of 

 our legs became of a brick-red colour, and so sore 

 by evening that it was agonising to see a person 

 approach, lest he might unwittingly jostle against 

 the tender parts. For months afterwards, what 

 might be termed a high-water mark could be 

 observed when the victim was stripped. Wading 

 in ordinary boots, not particularly well supplied 

 with nails, was always a rather slippery and pre- 

 carious performance, duckings being therefrom not 

 uncommon. On this very day, I well remember, 

 my unlucky brother wound up with one of his 

 complete and customary soakings. 



It was well on into the evening, and we had 



